By Les Pa Norsk
Today, Norway and France have signed a comprehensive defense agreement under which the two countries commit to come to each other’s aid should the need arise. Together with nine other European countries, Norway will also participate in a process to determine how France’s nuclear weapons can contribute to security and deterrence in Europe.
‘We are contending with the most serious security situation since the Second World War. The Government is pursuing a hedging strategy aimed at reinforcing the foundation that underpins Norwegian security. Membership of NATO is essential to our national security. The US is Norway’s most important Ally, and we are now also forging stronger ties with the European Allies that are most important in terms of safeguarding our security. In the past six months, we have entered into defense agreements with both Germany and the UK, and I am pleased that we have signed a comprehensive defense agreement with France today,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
The Narvik Agreement
The Narvik Agreement was signed in Paris today by Norwegian Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik and French Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin.
The name of the agreement refers to the historical alliance between Norway and France, formed when the two countries joined forces to secure the Allies’ first victory during World War II.
‘The Narvik Agreement will bring new momentum to our cooperation. The agreement contains a provision on mutual defense: our two countries commit to come to each other’s aid – including with military assistance – should the need arise. Besides the UK, France is the European Ally that sails most extensively in the north. The agreement reinforces our cooperation through concrete structures, plans, exercises and prepositioning of equipment, and will enable us to mount a swift and coordinated response when it is really needed,’ said Store.
The agreement also provides a framework for closer cooperation on hybrid warfare, maritime security, space cooperation, cybersecurity, support to Ukraine and defense industrial cooperation.
‘The Narvik Agreement is an important part of our hedging strategy. It will be a useful tool for safeguarding Norwegian defense and security interests at a time when Europe is having to strengthen its defense capabilities to increase its strategic autonomy,’ said Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik.
Nuclear deterrence
Together with nine other European countries, Norway will participate in a process related to the French nuclear initiative – ‘forward deterrence’ – which was launched by President Emmanuel Macron in early March this year.
‘Together with some of our closest partners and Allies, Norway will be discussing in more detail how France’s nuclear weapons can further enhance European security and deterrence. At this point in history, it is both right and necessary that Europe takes greater responsibility for its own security. For many years, French nuclear weapons were exclusively linked to France’s own security. France is now opening a dialogue with its close Allies on how its nuclear weapons can contribute to European security and provide a deterrent against military threats. We will hold further talks with France on how the nuclear initiative can help to achieve this,’ said Store.
The defense of Norway is based on a deterrence strategy that encompasses nuclear capabilities. Since 1949, we have been a member of NATO, whose deterrence and defense posture includes nuclear weapons.
‘Our deterrence will continue to be provided by NATO. The US has made it clear that its nuclear guarantee to Europe remains unchanged. French capabilities are part of NATO’s overall deterrence capability. It has been important to the Government that our close European Allies have joined the French initiative and that France has consulted the US and NATO,’ said Store.
The UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Greece and Norway have now joined the French nuclear deterrence initiative.
Store emphasized that the process with France does not constitute a change in Norway’s nuclear weapons policy.
‘There are to be no nuclear weapons on Norwegian soil in peacetime. We will also give priority to promoting arms control and non-proliferation. Closer cooperation with France in Europe and within the NATO framework could reduce the risk of other countries being tempted to develop their own nuclear weapons,’ said Store.
Russian aggression
Russia’s aggression and escalating rivalry between the major powers are having a profound impact on the security situation in Europe.
Norway has two strategies for dealing with this. The Government’s hedging strategy involves forging stronger ties with several of Europe’s leading military powers to ensure that our security is not based on a single guarantee. The National Security Strategy focuses on how to respond to an increasingly serious threat landscape by developing stronger bilateral structures and a stronger role for Europe in NATO. The agreement with France is a direct result of both strategies.
‘The Narvik Agreement is the last in a series of bilateral defense agreements Norway has established with Europe’s leading military powers: the UK, Germany and France. Together, the three agreements formalize Norway’s relationship with the three largest military powers in Western Europe. These agreements quite simply make Norway safer,’ said Sandvik.
Meeting with the President and the Prime Minister
During his visit to Paris, Prime Minister Store had bilateral meetings with both Prime Minster Sebastien Lecornu and President Emmanuel Macron. The topics they discussed included defense and security, the further expansion of Norwegian French cooperation and European cooperation.
‘France is a close Ally and an important partner to Norway. We cooperate closely in a wide variety of areas, including defense, security and the green transition. The strategic partnership that President Macron and I signed when he was in Norway last year paves the way for further cooperation in important areas for both countries,’ said Store.